BEA then turned coquettish, pointing out that the "board has not indicated that it would be opposed to a transaction that appropriately reflects BEA's value, reached through a reasonable process". It was Oracle that had rejected any such process, he added.

So, in short, BEA's directors are happy to give it up to Oracle, but want to be wooed first. And it would help if Larry can put away the cubic zirconium and produce a nice big fat genuine rock.

So, will it all be over by Sunday? Unlikely. For all its bluster about walking away, Oracle has not shied away from long drawn out takeovers in the past. And with BEA's shares changing hands at $17.87, everyone else is betting that Larry will shell out for a few candlelit dinners before upping his offer. ®